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Canopus
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Canopus
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1 July 2002: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite reveals a massive solar eruption more than 30 times the Earth's diameter. The eruption formed when a loop of a magnetic field over the surface of the Sun trapped hot gas.
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Canopus

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Also known as: Alpha Carinae
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Alpha Carinae
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Canopus
Canopus in the southern constellation of Carina.

Canopus, second brightest star (after Sirius) in the night sky, with a visual magnitude of −0.74. Lying in the southern constellation Carina, 310 light-years from Earth, Canopus is sometimes used as a guide in the attitude control of spacecraft because of its angular distance from the Sun and the contrast of its brightness among nearby celestial objects. The Syrian Stoic philosopher Poseidonius (c. 135–50 bce) used sightings of Canopus near the horizon in his estimation of the size of Earth.

(List of Brightest Stars as Seen from Earth)

1 July 2002: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite reveals a massive solar eruption more than 30 times the Earth's diameter. The eruption formed when a loop of a magnetic field over the surface of the Sun trapped hot gas.
Britannica Quiz
Brightest Star in the Solar System
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.